Body motion system

ABSTRACT

A body motion system is disclosed that can be attached or can be made integral with a bed or similar structure. A horizontal support has a central portion which can subside upon receiving a subject and can move a subject&#39;&#39;s body in several directions. The ends of the support are coupled to receive a motive force, as from a reciprocally-movable piston for moving the support in a lateral direction to exercise the subject. Alternate motions imparted to the support cause both ends of the support to move in: the same lateral direction, opposite lateral directions, or in a transverse plane wherein both ends of the support move in parallel planes perpendicular to the axis of the support. The modes of operation can rock the subject either gently or forcefully. Simultaneous modes of operation are also possible. In an alternate arrangement, the entire body is placed on the support and the ends of the support are twisted in opposite directions causing a rolling motion to be transmitted to the support.

Butcher et al.

[ Aug. 12, 1975 BODY MOTION SYSTEM [76] Inventors: Julia A. Butcher, 1035 N. Glendale Ave., Glendale, Calif. 91206; Daniel E. McLean, 7047 W. Franklin 102, Los Angeles, Calif. 90028 [22] Filed: Apr. 22, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 462,910

[52] U.S. C1. 128/63 [51] Int. Cl A6lh 7/00 [58] Field of Search 128/24 R, 25 R, 33, 63

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,209,852 7/1940 Sheron 128/63 2,217,445 10/1940 Kauffman 128/63 2,256,534 9/1941 Tjaden 128/63 2,441,394 5/1948 Bucy 123/63 Primary ExaminerLawrence W. Trapp Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Harvey S. Hertz [5 7 ABSTRACT A body motion system is disclosed that can be attached or can be made integral with a bed or similar structure. A horizontal support has a central portion which can subside upon receiving a subject and can move a subjects body in several directions. The ends of the support are coupled to receive a motive force, as from a reciprocally-movable piston for moving the support in a lateral direction to exercise the subject. Alternate motions imparted to the support cause both ends of the support to move in: the same lateral direction, opposite lateral directions, or in a transverse plane wherein both ends of the support move in parallel planes perpendicular to the axis of the support. The modes of operation can rock the subject either gently or forcefully. Simultaneous modes of operation are also possible. In an alternate arrangement, the entire body is placed on the support and the ends of the support are twisted in opposite directions causing a rolling motion to be transmitted to the support.

5 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTED AUG 1 2W5 SHEET FIGA.

FIG.3.

PATENTED AUG 1 EMS SHEET BODY MOTION SYSTEM BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Massage by an individual is the conventional physical technique for exercising a relatively immobile individual. Such techniques are relatively expensive as a trained therapist must be utilized. Chairs and beds have been provided with mechanical vibrators. However, such vibrators generally do not suitably exercise an immobile patient. Conventional body massage apparatus of the type that move the portions of the body, are generally exercisers or stimulators which typically can be used only by relatively healthy persons. Normally these devices include vibrating straps which are fitted around a subjects body to impart motion. Such devices require the patient to exert a force against the belt or the belt be tightly secured to the patient. When a patient has been immobile for relatively long periods of time, such devices may hurt the patient.

Another class of apparatus, e.g. traction-type devices, which apply a force to an individual, also require the person to apply a predetermined stress with respect to the device before the device can operate effectively.

Known prior art includes US. Pat. Nos. 1,891,347; 3,381,538; 2,103,956; 1,837,531; 1,720,117; 1,956,635; 1,837,532; 1,878,925; and 1,899,544.

The present invention provides a body motion system formed of a support for receiving a portion of the body or the entire body of a patient. A gentle reciprocating motion is applied to the support which acts to stimulate the body muscles and provide the desired exercise. The support is positioned in a generally horizontal plane and has a central section which can subside when the body or portion thereof is placed on the support. At least one end of the support is coupled to receive a motive force.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is perspective view of a body motion system illustrated secured to a conventional bedframe;

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the support of the body motion system, showing the linkage connecting the central portion of the support, upon which the body portion rests, with an end portion of the support;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side view of a drive mechanism for the support of the body motion system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the support of the body exerciser of FIG. 1, having a body portion resting thereon for illustrating the various movements of the support;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the body motion system wherein a twisting movement is provided to the support;

FIG. 6 is a side view of a portion of the drive mechanism used to move the support of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an end view of a portion of the gearing arrangement of FIG. 6 taken along the line 77 thereof; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of the support used to explain the movement thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a body motion system constructed in accordance with the princi ples of the invention. The body motion system is illustrated as being secured to the frame 12 of a conventional bed 14. It should be understood that the body exerciser could be secured to other conventional devices as well, such as a physicians examining table or the like.

The body motion system contains a pair of parallel end rails 16 and 18 which are positioned at the head and foot of the bed 14, respectively. The aligned ends of the rails 16 and 18 are connected together by a pair of elongated cylindrical side rails 22 and 24. The end rails 16 and 18 and the side rails 22 and 24 form a rectangle around the perimeter of the bed 14. The end rail 18 is illustrated as being secured to the bottom of the bed frame by means of a pair of vertical posts 25. The end rail 16 is secured to the frame 12 by similar posts (not shown in FIG. 1).

A first drive member 26 and a second drive member 28 are positioned on opposite sides of the bed 14 and are movable along the side rails 22 and 24, respectively as will be explained in greater detail hereinafter. The members 26 and 28 are each encased in a housing 32 (shown in dotted lines adjacent the drive member 28, but which have been removed for purposes of describing the body exerciser in greater detail). Interconnected between the drive members 26 and 28 and at a level above the bed 14 is a central support 34 which is of generally rectangular configuration and whose ends 36 and 38 taper and are joined to a first end support 42 and a second end support 44, respectively. The first end support 42 and the second end support 44 are each coupled to the first drive member 26 and the second drive member 28, respectively, and are movable therewith.

The interconnection between the central support 34 and the end support 42 is illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the tapered end 36 of the end central support 34 contains an opening 46 having a central support ring 48 positioned therein. A tapered end 52 of the first end support 42 adjacent the tapered end 36 central support 34 contains an opening 54 having an end support ring 56 therein. A three link chain 58 interconnects the central support ring 48 and the end support ring 56. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 1, the central support end 38 is joined to the second end support 44. The link chain 58 prevents stresses from being formed on the drive mechanism as will be explained hereinafter. Alternatively, it should be understood that a ball and socket or similar interconnect arrangement could be used in place of the link chain 58.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the interconnection between the second end support 44 and the second drive member 28 is illustrated in greater detail. The second end support 44 is turned over a support roller 62. After being turned over the support roller 62, the end support 44 has one end fastened by means of a link 66 to a piston 68. The link 66 can be fastened to the end 64 of the end support 44 in a similar manner as the interconnection of the link chain 58 with the central support 34 and the end support 42, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Typically, the end 72 of the piston 68 contains an opening through which the link 66 passes, linking the end support 44 to the piston 68. The piston 68 is moved vertically (arrows FIG. 3) by a motor 74.

The support roller 62 and the motor 74 are fixed on a vertically-extending mounting bracket 76 which is positioned at the side of the bed 14. As shown more clearly in FIG. 1, a first pair of opposed rollers 78 and The rollers 78, 82, 84, and 86 each have annular surfaces for mating engagement with the side rail 24. The rollers 78, 82, 84 and 86 are each freely supported on an axle which is coupled to the mounting bracket 76 by threaded extensions 88 receiving a pair of nuts 92.

The support roller 62 is freely rotatable about an axle 94. Each end of the axle 94 has a downwardly extending portion 96 (one of which is shown in FIG. 1 and 3). The downwardly extending portions 96 extend through a top support bracket 98. The ends of the downwardly extending portions have threaded extensions 102 which enables a nut 104 to secured the portions 96 to the top support bracket 98. The housing of the motor 74 is secured by means of a pair of motor mounts 106 and 108 to a plate 1 12. The plate 1 12 which is positioned parallel to the mounting bracket 76 and is juxtaposed therewith and can be bolted or otherwise riveted thereto.

Vertical adjustment means of the mounting bracket 76 with respect to the plate 112 (not shown) is normally provided.

A motor control 114 is fastened to the mounting bracket 76 and is interconnected to the motor 74 by means of an electrical cable 116.

Similarly, the first end support 42 is secured to the first drive member 26. The first drive member 26 is identical to the second drive member 28 which has been shown in greater detail in FIG. 3 and is positioned on the opposite side of the bed 14 and supported on the circular side rail 22.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, an electrical controller 118 is connected to the motor control 114 of each of the drive members 26 and 28. The electrical controller can either be operated by a person adjacent the bed 14 or by the person lying on the bed and using the body exerciser of the present invention.

Various modes of operation utilizing the electrical controller are possible. The motors of the drive members 26 and 28 can each be actuated so that the first end support 42 and the second end support 44 each simultaneously move in the same direction. The patients limb or other body portion which rests on the central support 34, is rotated to a first position. Then the direction of movement of the first end support 42 and the second end support44 is reversed so that they both simultaneously move in the opposite direction causing the body portion to rotate to a second position. This mode of operation is indicated by the arrows 122 and 124 of FIG. 4 wherein a head of a person is resting on the central support 34. Normally, the amount of movement in each direction of the end supports are chosen so that the head will rotate slightly a desire given amount.

In an alternative mode of operation, the drive members 26 and 28 can be operated so that the piston 68 simultaneously moves downwardly until the central support 34 is almost in a horizontal position. Then the movement of the piston 68 can be reversed so that the central support 34 and the body portion thereon move in a generally downward vertical postion. Such a movement is illustrated by the arrows 126 and 128 in FIG. 4. Further, the link chain 58 enables the central support 34 to move with respect to the end supports 42 and 44, when a body is placed on the central support.

Referring again to FIG. 1, an alternative mode of movement of the central support 34 is illustrated. Both of the drive members 26 and 28 are simultaneously moved along the circular slide rails 22 and 24. This mode of movement utilizes a transversely extending rod 132 which is secured between opposing faces of the mounting brackets of the drive members 26 and 28 and is positioned beneath the bed 14.

As shown in FIG. 3, the transverse rod 132 is secured to an end plate 134 of the drive member 28. The end plate 134 in turn is fastened to the mounting bracket 76. The end plate can be made vertically adjustable with respect to the mounting bracket 76 for enabling the system to be used with different height beds. Similarly, the transverse rod 132 is secured at its opposite end to the mounting bracket of the driver member 26.

Referring once again to FIG. 1, the transverse rod 132 has a centrally located junction plate 136. Also mounted beneath the bed 14 is a motor 138 having a plurality of telescoping sections illustrated as 142, 144, 146 and 148 respectively, extending therefrom. One end of the telescopic section 148 is secured to the junction plate 136 and the other end of the telescoping section 142 is coupled to the motor 138. The motor 138 is connected by wiring 152 to the electric controller 118. Operation of the motor 138 enables the telescoping sections 142, 144, 146 and 148 to translate their axial movement into an axial movement of the drive members 26 and 28. By providing oscillating movement of the motor 138, the telescoping sections are used to move the central support 34 perpendicular to its axis as shown by the arrows 154 and 156. Further, certain of the movements of FIG. 4 could be performed simultaneously by adjustment of the system electrical controls.

Referring now to FIG. 5 there is shown an alternative embodiment of the body exerciser of FIGS. 1 through 4 wherein a body support 202 is mounted between the head end and foot end of a conventional bed 204. The body support, as illustrated in FIG. 5, enables a person to be entirely supported thereon and is thus greater in width than the support of the embodiments of FIGS. 1 through 4. The body support 202 is positioned between a first support adjusting mechanism mounted at the head of the bed 204 and a second support adjusting mechanism 208 mounted at the foot of the bed. The second support adjusting mechanism 208 has its housing removed for purposes of clarity and is shown in greater detail in the side view of FIG. 6.

As illustrated in FIG. 6 the second support adjusting mechanism 208 comprises an L-shaped mounting bracket 212 having a base 214 and a vertically extending mounting member 216. The base 214 is normally positioned beneath the frame 218 of the bed so as to support the L-shaped bracket and prevent movement thereof, although, other free-standing support arrangements are also possible.

A roller mount 222 contains a pair of upwardly extending arms 224 and 226 between which a body support roller 228 is positioned. The body support roller rotates on an axle whose ends 232 and 233 are rotatably positioned in the arms 224 and 226 of the roller mount 222. The roller mount 222 and the vertically extending mounting member 216 are mounted in parallel planes and are spaced apart and interconnected by means of a pivoting pin 232 which forms the center of axis of rotation of the roller mount 222 as will be explained hereinafter.

The roller mount gear 234 is formed in a central opening 236 in the roller mount. The roller mount gear has its gear teeth 238 formed about the radius whose center is the pivot pin 232. These teeth in turn mesh with a drive gear 242 formed in the central opening 236. The drive gear rotates about a central shaft 244 which, as can be seen in FIG. 6, extends through an opening 246 in the vertically extending mounting member 216 and is coupled to a motor and gear box 248. The motor and gear box 248 are positioned on a stand 252 secured to the vertically extending mounting member.

Referring once again to FIG. 7, an arcuate slot 254 is formed at the bottom of the roller mount about a radius whose center is defined by the pivoting pin 232. A slot pin 256 is positioned in the arcuate slot 254 with the ends of the slot limiting movement of the roller mount about the pivot pin 232.

The body support 202 is positioned over the roller 228. The end 258 of the body support 202 is secured to a link 262. The other end of the link is fastened to a piston 264 at a top eyelet 266. The piston 264 can be driven with a vertical movement by means of a motor 268 which is secured by mounting brackets 272 and 274 to an end plate 276. The end plate 276 is juxtaposed and secured to the vertically extending mounting member 216. A control box 278 is fastened to the vertically extending mounting member 216 and is electrically coupled to the motor 268 by means of a cable 282.

The other end of the body support 202 can be similarly positioned with respect to the first support adjusting mechanism 206 at the head end of the bed 204. The motor 268 is driven to adjust the desired tension in the body support 204. A similar motor in the first support adjusting mechanism 206 can also be utilized to move the belt. Alternatively, as can be readily seen, the end of the body support 202 adjacent the first support adjusting mechanism 208 can be fixed, and the entire adjustment could be provided by means of the motor 268. Further, a conventional crank could be used to replace the motor 268.

Once the desired tension in the body support 202 has been provided the motor 248 in the second support adjusting mechanism 208 is actuated and simultaneously a similar motor in the first support adjusting mechanism 206 is actuated. These motors rotate the roller mounts in an oscillating fashion in continuously opposite direction. As can be seen in H0. 8, such oscillating movement in opposite directions causes the body support 202 to twist. The body support 202 twists and provides the desired motion to a body positioned on the body support.

Alternatively, the roller 228 of the adjusting mechanism 208 and the corresponding roller of the adjusting mechanism 206 can remain stationary and the relative movement of the body support 202 will provide a twisting motion.

I claim:

1. A body motion system comprising:

a movable support positioned in a generally horizontal plane along the axis of said support and having a central section which can subside in a plane perpendicular to said horizontal plane when a body or portion thereof is placed in said support;

means for coupling at least a first end of said support to a first motive force; and

means for actuating said motive force to move said support in a lateral direction perpendicular to the axis of said support.

2. A body motion system in accordance with claim 1 wherein a second motive force moves said support along an axis perpendicular to said lateral direction in a plane parallel to said horizontal plane.

3. A body motion system in accordance with claim 2 wherein said opposite ends of said support are coupled to brackets movable on a pair of parallel railings, said second motive force moving said brackets along said railings.

4. A body motion system comprising:

a movable support positioned in a generally horizontal plane along the axis of said support and having a central section which can subside in a plane perpendicular to said horizontal plane when a body or portion thereof is placed in said support;

means for coupling at least a first end of said support to a first motive force; and

means for actuating said motive force to move said support, the ends of said support being movable at an angle with respect to said horizontal plane.

5. A body motion system in accordance with claim 4 wherein said ends of said support are each reciprocally movable in opposite angles for applying a twisting force to said support. 

1. A body motion system comprising: a movable support positioned in a generally horizontal plane along the axis of said support and having a central section which can subside in a plane perpendicular to said horizontal plane when a body or portion thereof is placed in said support; means for coupling at least a first end of said support to a first motive force; and means for actuating said motive force to move said support in a lateral direction perpendicular to the axis of said support.
 2. A body motion system in accordance with claim 1 wherein a second motive force moves said support along an axis perpendicular to said lateral direction in a plane parallel to said horizontal plane.
 3. A body motion system in accordance with claim 2 wherein said opposite ends of said support are coupled to brackets movable on a pair of parallel railings, said second motive force moving said brackets along said railings.
 4. A body motion system comprising: a movable support positioned in a generally horizontal plane along the axis of said support and having a central section which can subside in a plane perpendicular to said horizontal plane when a body or portion thereof is placed in said support; means for coupling at least a first end of said support to a first motive force; and means for actuating said motive force to move said support, the ends of said support being movable at an angle with respect to said horizontal plane.
 5. A body motion system in accordance with claim 4 wherein said ends of said support are each reciprocally movable in opposite angles for applying a twisting force to said support. 